Marine Petroleum Exploration of Korean Platform: ABSTRACT

Abstract

Geophysical surveys performed over the southeastern part of the Yellow Sea indicate the presence of a broad area of shallow basement called the Korean platform. A veneer of Pliocene-Pleistocene sedimentary rocks on this platform covers a regional unconformity. Sedimentary basins and subcrop patterns below this unconformity demonstrate a positive structural trend far west and south of the Korean Peninsula. Two deep exploratory wells drilled on the north edge of the study area are of significance to a better understanding of the stratigraphy west of Korea. Because of the presence of charophytes and freshwater ostracods and the total absence of nannofossils, most of the sedimentary rocks were deposited in continental environments. Limited fossil data indicate shallow-marine tongues that enter the upper part of the section below the regional unconformity. High matrix carbonate in the clastic rocks throughout the section may account for the high interval velocities observed. Although no hydrocarbons were found in the rocks penetrated by the wells, additional drilling will be required before this large area can be fully evaluated. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1437------------